Artificially Intelligent Avatar June 16, 2008
Posted by anne marie in ELA, Fun, Websites.Tags: Fun, Intelligent Avatar, Interactive
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I came across this really interesting, fun, a bit strange, but definitely COOL site that has elicited positive, increased language skills in my classroom. It’s called the Artificially Intelligent Avatar. The concept is quite simple and yet very “Star Trekish”– you type a question in the text box and the Avatar, Stetsasonic (we call him Sonic!), will answer you! We just kept saying– “How does he do that?” Ok so he doesn’t always respond (yes he actually speaks) with the most understandable answers, but the verbal interaction this tool has produced from my somewhat shy, “I don’t know” students, has been marvelous-YEAH! They are eager to ask Sonic all kinds of questions, even if he had a girlfriend and if he wanted a date with Ms. Anderson! This also offers the opportunity for students to practice typing skills. Using Sonic with the SMARTBoard makes it even more fun- it gives it the Star Trek effect– like we’re talking to someone from the Mother Ship and we might just even get beamed up!!! So with the end of the year in sight and everyone moving to a more relaxed level, this might be something fun to experiment with, and who knows, the language benefits might just surprise you. 
Oh yeah, one last thing Sonic has been known to change his appearance-HMMMMMMMMMM wonder if he is related to Mr. Spock?!?!?!
GOOOOOOOO CELTICS!!! June 15, 2008
Posted by anne marie in Games, General, SMART Board, Websites, sports.Tags: Bakestball games, Interactive
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Have all of my fingers and toes crossed for tonight’s game!!!
If you want to test your student’s knowledge about the game of basketball check out the Fun School Basketball quiz. There are only 8 questions, but the quiz works great on the SMARTBoard since you just touch your answer from the 3 choices given. I like the fact that it not only tells you the correct answer, but it also includes a brief explanation with the answer-YEAH! When you finish the quiz you may want to check out some of the other basketball games that are available on this site. If you like strange, weird games check out SyKlops Free Throw. 
Sy is a one-eyed alien who likes to practice his hoops in a most unique way!
Father’s Day June 15, 2008
Posted by anne marie in ELA, Websites.Tags: book
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With today being Father’s Day I thought I’d share this cute book I discovered on the Looky Book website- “The Searcher and Old Tree” by David McPhail. It’s a story about the Searcher, a raccoon, and the relationship he has with the Old Tree. As the site states, “a simple, powerful allegory about the safety of home.” The Old Tree reminded me of my own Dad- someone who quietly and proudly cared for, protected and loved his family. The last line in the book says it all- “Old Tree will be waiting for him when he returns home.”
So here’s wishing all you Dads a…
Our Poetry Reading June 13, 2008
Posted by anne marie in ELA, Notebook 10, Our Classroom.Tags: Notebook 10, Poetry, SMARTBoard
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We had our poetry reading this afternoon and it was WONDERFUL! I was so proud of each and every student. Many parents were in attendance, as were administrators and fellow teachers. It is a true honor to be the teacher of these very talented, dedicated students. As we presented and read their poems, I was reminded of the positive attitude, love of learning and determinationn each of these students possess everyday they enter the classroom. It is heart warming and refreshing. Naturally pictures were taken, so I have created a short video of the event, using Rock You. Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate with us, thanks to Ms. Dee and Ms. Ruth for always giving 110% to make our classroom the best it can be and a special thanks to each of my students who make my heart smile every day!
Poetry Splatter June 12, 2008
Posted by anne marie in ELA, SMART Board, Websites.Tags: Interactive, Poetry, SMARTBoard
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I have been getting ready for our big Poetry Reading Event tomorrow (very exciting!!)and realized I neglected to post a fun poetry website called Poetry Splatter. Have some fun creating silly poems! Just choose a poem title from the list- categorized by age group (limited to 2 to 4 poems in each of the 4 sections). You fill in the blanks with words that are splattered onto the screen. It is interactive and works well with the SMARTBoard. The words are color coded to indicate verbs, nouns, adjectives and adverbs and correspond to the color coded blank spaces in the poem sentences. This is a great feature for non-readers since they can still independently participate by following directions using color identification.-YEAH! When the sentences are completed a poem has been created which you can then print! You need to have the Flash plug-in installed on your computer to view this site. So get out your color palette and brushes and have some colorful poetry fun!
Mysterious Manor June 10, 2008
Posted by anne marie in ELA, SMART Board, Websites.Tags: Interactive, Mysterious Manor
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Mysterious Manor is a fun, interactive game that is very similiar to Scholastic’s I Spy. You enter the mansion and then put on your Sherlock Holme’s hat to discover various objects within each room. Click on the doors and windows to enter different rooms. This program works fabulously on the SMARTBoard because students simply locate and touch the objects to participate. Great for eye/hand coordination, visual discrimmination, following directions, cause/affect objectives.
This is a good end of the year game- have FUN!
Sharing a fun basketball game. June 8, 2008
Posted by anne marie in Fun, SMART Board, Websites.Tags: interactive game
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In case you haven’t realized it yet I am a die hard Celtics fan-GOOOOOOOOOO Celts- and I am soooooooooooooo HAPPY they have made it to the NBA Finals!!! 
In honor of Game 2 tonight I thought I’d introduce you to a fun interactive basketball game from ESPN- Arcade Basketball. It simulates a free-throw practice. “Click and hold the mouse button to pick up the basketball. Move the ball and release the mouse button while moving forward to shoot the ball.”
There is an audio feature (turn speaker on), complete with some cool sound affects for added inspiration! It’s also fun to use this game on the SMARTBoard. I must admit, however, I’ll never make it to the finals with my scores!!!
Teaching Creatures June 7, 2008
Posted by anne marie in Science.Tags: animal habitats, Teaching Creatures
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This week we were very fortunate to have Rae Griffiths from Teaching Creatures visit our classroom with her amazing menagarie of animals. Ms. Griffiths complimented our continuing lessons on different animal habitats. She explained how an animal’s ability to adapt to his/her environment enables the species to survive. It was very interesting and quite fun! The students very much enjoyed the up close and personal contact with the animals this presentation offered, which is evident in the slide show.
Go CELTICS! June 6, 2008
Posted by anne marie in SMART Board, Websites.Tags: Celtics, Dr. Seuss, ELA, Interactive, James Naismith, The Lorax
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In case you haven’t heard the Celtics won the first game in the NBA Playoffs last night-YEAH!!!!
So in honor of this I am highlighting an interactive site that I think Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, would approve of! Ok so it’s not a true basketball game, but you do have to move a basket to catch 10 seeds, it is originated from a Dr. Seuss book and in case you didn’t know it both of these great men were from Springfield Massachusetts! The site is The Lorax Saves the Trees Game. It works very well with the SMARTBoard- simply touch and drag the basket to catch the 10 seeds- it is very good for eye/hand coordination and to just have some FUN! Once the seeds are all in the basket you plant them by touching the next screen that appears and watch them grow! This is the perfect time to review counting 1-10.
So here’s to the Celtics and to catching some seeds for the Lorax!
Word Central June 4, 2008
Posted by anne marie in ELA, Websites.Tags: ELA, Interactive, Spelling
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Merriam-Webster’s Word Cental has 3 very SMARTBoard friendly word games. All of the games are interactive, the words are easily moved and each has a fun factor. My students particularly enjoy the Robo Bee Game- very cute, very fun moving the bee to the correct answer. “It’s up to you as you control the flight of the Robo-Bee through a garden of synonyms, antonyms, spelling, and usage puzzles!” For non-readers we modified the games by giving verbal letter prompts to succeed. The only disappointment was when using the Ink Aware feature on the SMARTBoard, to give some students extra support, the interactvitiy stopped working. All in all these games are definitely worth a look!
